The Federal High Court in Abuja has dismissed a N10bn fundamental rights suit filed by Abuja-based businesswoman Aisha Achimugu against the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over the agency’s search of her residence and seizure of vehicles, jewellery and other belongings.
Justice M.S. Liman dismissed the suit on Monday, ruling that the anti-graft agency had the statutory power to search Achimugu’s property after receiving intelligence concerning her alleged criminal activities, according to a statement issued by the EFCC.
In the suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/466/2026, Achimugu had asked the court to determine whether the commission’s search of her residence and seizure of her belongings fell within its legal powers.
She also sought the enforcement of her fundamental rights to privacy and an order restraining the EFCC from allegedly threatening, harassing or invading her private residence.
The businesswoman further demanded N10bn in damages over what she described as an invasion of her privacy.
However, delivering judgment, Justice Liman held that the EFCC had the right to search her residence after receiving intelligence about alleged criminal activities.
“EFCC has the right to search the residence,” the judge said, according to the commission’s account of the judgment.
The court also rejected Achimugu’s demand for N10 billion in damages, holding that she and her legal representatives had failed to establish grounds warranting the compensation sought.
Justice Liman ruled that there was no sufficient basis to prevent the commission from carrying out its statutory responsibilities and dismissed the suit for lacking merit.
The EFCC said the judge described the action as “frivolous” and brought in bad faith.
Reacting to the ruling, EFCC counsel Emenike Mgbemele welcomed the judgment, describing it as being in the interest of justice.
He also alleged that the suit was an attempt to waste the court’s time.
The ruling represents a setback for Achimugu’s attempt to obtain judicial relief and compensation over the search of her residence and the seizure of her belongings.
The EFCC did not provide further details in its statement about the intelligence that prompted the search or the alleged criminal activities referenced by the judge.
